By Dorrington Myers
There was so much talent on display and that made it difficult to single out one quarterback as the best of the week. Multiple guys played well and some played above the level of competition. I normally only do one quarterback of the week, but this time I decided to show appreciation for multiple signal callers who had a big performance. Each guy brings something special and elevates his team.
Top quarterback performances of Week 9
John Mateer, Washington State
19-27, 257 yards, 2 touchdowns; 21 carries, 42 yards, 2rushing touchdowns
Mateer can absolutely throw the ball—he’s a natural and makes it look effortless. His release is distinct, and he’s elusive when scrambling. Mateer made the right plays, helping to secure the victory over San Diego State, despite being down 12 in the fourth quarter.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
18-26, 291 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; three carries, 5 yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Gabriel, the nation’s leader in completion percentage (76.2%) was once again surgical through the air, completing throws in tight spaces and windows. He didn’t add much on the ground other than the touchdown, but it was more than enough in a top-25 blowout win over Illinois.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
25-30, 323 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 carries, 1 yard, 1 rushing touchdown
Sanders was composed, proving the mantra that smooth is fast and was just as accurate as always against Cincinnati. He’s deadly when he’s fully grounded. Lately, there’s been talk about whether he should be in the Heisman conversation. Some of his antics and Travis Hunter may overshadow his skills, but make no mistake—he’s a baller and one of the countries best.
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X-factors of the week:
Marcel Reed | Texas A and M versus LSU
2-2, 70 yards, 9 carries, 62 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
Reed was thrilling to watch in Texas A&M’s comeback win over LSU. He led the Aggies to four touchdowns on his first four drives and his legs caused a problem for the Tiger defense. Although he barely threw the ball, Reed still has the ability to spin it, as seen by a beautiful 54-yard deep ball to WR Noah Thomas. On the ground, Reed operates like he’s in a phone booth—he can shake, bake, and move with the best of them. His vision is excellent; when he sees a lane, he attacks it north and south.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
13-21, 178 yards, 2 touchdowns, 10 carries, 83 yards, 1 rushing touchdown
The question coming in was whether Leonard could be more consistent as a passer. Consistency is the missing piece for the Fighting Irish to make a strong playoff run if given the chance. Leonard is dynamic on the ground—he doesn’t dance around. If you’re in his way, he can run you over or if you hesitate in the open field, he’ll blow right by.
Against a talented Navy team, Leonard took the game personally and delivered one of his best performances of the season in a blowout win. He completed key throws and set his teammates up to make big plays. I like his skill set; now it just needs to show up consistently.
What’s to come?
As we get into the thick of the season, each win and performance becomes more significant. The goal for each of these signal-callers is the playoffs, ultimately with hopes of winning a national championship. Who will stand the test of time?
